2026 Roobet Philippines Open Pool Championship

[fullfitlarry]

I wanted to post this at the start of the tournament, but I totally forgot it. Now, we are already in the semi-finals and it's down to 4 Filipino players as the last of the foreign players lost their match. For this year, it is being promoted by Matchroom thru Roobet. But last year, it was Sportsbet.



https://worldnineballtour.com/events/2026-philippines-open-pool-championship/#summary

And the semi-finals looks like this:



Anyone betting on this sports besides us Filipinos? There are a lot of foreign entries here and if you are familiar with this sports for sure you know who I'm talking too.

To give another context, we have Reyes Cup prior to this tournament wherein we (Team Asia) were denied a 3rd consecutive win.

https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/10/18/team-rest-of-the-world-denies-team-asia-s-bid-for-reyes-cup-three-peat-2217

And again, if we talk about billiards or pool, we have the one and only GOAT, Efren "Bata" Reyes. That's why this sports is very popular not just in the Philippines but in Asia as well.

[Darker45]

I'm familiar with some of the names, even the ones in the semis because they're also into money games. But I'm not closely following the tournament.

I'm just amazed that the remaining ones are all locals, and young prospects in the sport, too. As a matter of fact, Benok, as Bernie is more known locally, is just 21. This young man is an amazing pool player and has a really bright future ahead of him. He's even the one who eliminated David Alcaide, the defending champ from Spain, and in a dominating fashion at that.

I'll probably not bet at all but I'm cheering for both Anton and Baseth. It's unfortunate they're the ones facing each other in the semis. It would have been better if they're facing each other in the finals.

Of course, props to Roobet for making this happen! By the way, the Reyes Cup was a Roobet-sponsored tournament as well.

[yhiaali3]

To be honest, I have never followed the Philippine Open Billiards Championship and I have never bet on it before, probably because this sport is not my favorite and is unfamiliar in my country.

Although the game is very popular among young people, no major tournaments are organized here in my country; the games are limited to some small local competitions and betting.

[bisdak40]

Anyone betting on this sports besides us Filipinos? There are a lot of foreign entries here and if you are familiar with this sports for sure you know who I'm talking too.

I haven't bet on this tournament yet as i only know that this exist because of this post. To be honest, i have not known these players remaining in the final four. Is this the same cup that Jaybee Sucal participated or different? After Efren Reyes i have not followed any pool players from the Philippines except those popping out in my social media feed.

[coinrifft]

Chua is the more familiar name as he is been touring billiard circuit for many years and he could be in the top 10 or top 15 in the world. But the 3 of them are could be playing underground or what @Darker45 said, money games as there are a lot of that kind of games here not televised but participated by known Filipino players.

So out of the 4 names, Chua I think will be the favorite to win the Philippines Open. One thing I don't like with Chua though is that he is somewhat arrogant as compare to Reyes or even Bustamante is that they are very humble even with they won a lot of tournaments in abroad.

Bustamante is the coach/mentor the Team Asia that recently lost to Team World.

[Cointxz]

I’m not familiar anymore with who’s the top player on PH right now. It will be helpful if you can make a power list on current PH players as a guide to back them on my bet instead of relying alone on odds offered by sportsbook.

Only JB Sucal is the only player I knew due to his social media exposure which I doubt he will be on this tournament due to his young age. 

I might place some bets to Efren as support. Nice thread to bring back pool greatness discussion in the forum.

[Mr. Magkaisa]

I’m not familiar anymore with who’s the top player on PH right now. It will be helpful if you can make a power list on current PH players as a guide to back them on my bet instead of relying alone on odds offered by sportsbook.

Only JB Sucal is the only player I knew due to his social media exposure which I doubt he will be on this tournament due to his young age. 

I might place some bets to Efren as support. Nice thread to bring back pool greatness discussion in the forum.

Do not bet for JB Sucal in pro tournament, this young guy became popular in billiards becuase of his age and play around Phillipines for money bet but his attitude and the way he play is far from being a PRO and he always ask for "partida" which is not allowed in PRO. AJ Manas is the yound prodigy of Philippines and that PRODIGY is not from me or in PH it is world title for him.


BTW, today this  Open Pool will end, The venue is in Gateway Mall Cubao.

[Darker45]

Only JB Sucal is the only player I knew due to his social media exposure which I doubt he will be on this tournament due to his young age. 

The boy participated in this tournament. He won in the first round and lost in the second. The competition accepts young players. I think JB isn't even the youngest.

I might place some bets to Efren as support. Nice thread to bring back pool greatness discussion in the forum.

The GOAT didn't join the competition. Django Bustamante joined though but bowed out quite early after receiving a beatdown by Rodrigo Geronimo. It was a complete shutout, 10-0. Nothing to be ashamed of for the legend, of course. The man is old, a hall of famer, nothing to prove anymore.

The tournament is actually live right now. Chua has already won over Bernie, advancing to the finals. Anton and Baseth are in their match right now. It's a good game so far, 4-3, in favor of Anton.

[Maslate]

Thanks for the thread, I just saw on my Facebook feed that they are down to 4 and all the remaining players are Filipinos, so whoever wins it's guaranteed that a Filipino will be the champion. I already noticed this advertisement from Roobet so I was able to take a screenshot of it thinking of posting it in their ANN thread but you created a thread which is really good.



Here are the 4 remaining players.

Johann Chua
Bernie Regalario
Anton Raga
Baseth Mocaibat

I'm only familiar with Chua and Raga here, and my guess is that Chua is going to be the ultimate winner.

Btw sucal he lost Denis Grabe last October 22, 2026, so he did not reach this level.

[Cointxz]

I’m not familiar anymore with who’s the top player on PH right now. It will be helpful if you can make a power list on current PH players as a guide to back them on my bet instead of relying alone on odds offered by sportsbook.

Only JB Sucal is the only player I knew due to his social media exposure which I doubt he will be on this tournament due to his young age. 

I might place some bets to Efren as support. Nice thread to bring back pool greatness discussion in the forum.

Do not bet for JB Sucal in pro tournament, this young guy became popular in billiards becuase of his age and play around Phillipines for money bet but his attitude and the way he play is far from being a PRO and he always ask for "partida" which is not allowed in PRO. AJ Manas is the yound prodigy of Philippines and that PRODIGY is not from me or in PH it is world title for him.


BTW, today this  Open Pool will end, The venue is in Gateway Mall Cubao.

I will definitely not bet for him on the pro scene. He always checks due to his lack of patience with shot preparation. My algorithm on Facebook just keeps showing together with Shane Acebar probably due to their popularity.

@Darker45 thanks bro for the quick recap. Where do you guys watch the match?

As a 30s already, it’s very hard for me to catch up interesting tournament aside from NBA. 

[cryptoaddictchie]

And again, if we talk about billiards or pool, we have the one and only GOAT, Efren "Bata" Reyes. That's why this sports is very popular not just in the Philippines but in Asia as well.

Wow this is so amazing honestly I didnt know that theres a Pool contest hosted by Roobet and for Philippines players. Do we have thread about this OP in our local boards?

Yes Bata Reyes is one of the OG or should I say the only OG not only in the Philippines but also in the world of pools. As far as I remmeber he was even recognized by different countries when it comes to Billiards.

I wonder who will win this tournament.

[Questat]

Where do you guys watch the match?

You can try watching it on One Sports YouTube channel. I haven't watched it yet, but according to the report, they are providing a live stream on that channel.

https://worldnineballtour.com/wnt-2026/manila-roars-back-the-reyes-cup-and-philippines-open-pool-championship-return-for-2026/

Both events are set to be broadcasted live and for free on the One Sports YouTube Channel with linear airing on One Sports & One Sports+ and digital streaming on Pilipinas Live and WNT TV — delivering nine days of unmissable world-class nineball action that will once again cement the Philippine capital as the global home of the sport.

[crwth]

I'm in the Philippines, but I couldn't monitor or see this. It's interesting.

Upon checking, this tournament is quite big, right? Is it part of the WNT professional international circuit? I think top players are really playing here.

I'm curious how significant the prize money is, since so many foreigners are playing/entering the tournament.

[SatsPH]

I'm in the Philippines, but I couldn't monitor or see this. It's interesting.

Upon checking, this tournament is quite big, right? Is it part of the WNT professional international circuit? I think top players are really playing here.

I'm curious how significant the prize money is, since so many foreigners are playing/entering the tournament.

Somebody already posted a link mate, you can watch it in Youtube,

As for the price money, the price pool is $100,000, champion getting $20,000. So that is million pesos already for the winner.



https://77billiards.com/2026/10/19/2026-philippines-open-schedule-prize-money-format-and-where-to-watch/

[Japinat]

$20k for the champion, the prize is not that huge, probably the reason why not many great players attended it.

Last time I remember when Carlo Biado won the World 9-Ball Championship final, the prize was $250,000 ,,, This one is not that huge, but at least they are bringing some tournaments to the Philippines, this shows that billiards has really been growing in this country, maybe it's time for the government to support them.

[freedomgo]

$20k for the champion, the prize is not that huge, probably the reason why not many great players attended it.

You don't compare it with other countries as the Philippines is just a small country, and it's just a new tournament in the Philippines currently in its 2nd year. Eventually it will grow in the future with probably more sponsors coming in.

[Oasisman]

Btw sucal he lost Denis Grabe last October 22, 2026, so he did not reach this level.

I'm not really familiar with billiards, but speaking of JB Sucal, he's like the social media sensation in Mindanao and Visayas in the PH, if I'm not mistaken. I thought he's at an international level because of his popularity. He even had exposures and exhibition games against the billiard GOAT, Efren Bata Reyes.
I've heard this kid played with handicaps on his favor when he plays money game against elder professional pool players. Not the best way of enhancing skills, but he's still young, he still have a lot of room for improvements. Hoping to see this kid succeed.  

[Maslate]

Btw sucal he lost Denis Grabe last October 22, 2026, so he did not reach this level.

I'm not really familiar with billiards, but speaking of JB Sucal, he's like the social media sensation in Mindanao and Visayas in the PH, if I'm not mistaken. I thought he's at an international level because of his popularity. He even had exposures and exhibition games against the billiard GOAT, Efren Bata Reyes.
I've heard this kid played with handicaps on his favor when he plays money game against elder professional pool players. Not the best way of enhancing skills, but he's still young, he still have a lot of room for improvements. Hoping to see this kid succeed.  

He was popular back then when he was interviewed by Jessica Soho, he was just a village boy who had talent in billiards and now that he has grown up he has really improved his game, but for me i think there's still a lot to improve like being smart in the game, no doubt he already has the skills but in a pressure game, you also need to use your brain.

Im more into watching money games on social media, not only the men but i also follow the young women like Shane Acebar and Rhaki Constantino and even Sofhia Rosales, also before i forget there's also the Gracia siblings they are also good

[Ziskinberg]

Currently playing live is the championship match between Anton Raga and Johann Chua.

You can watch it for free here:
Watch the live championship match

Edit : 11-9 , Chua is the champion of 2026 Philippines Open Pool Championship

[leea-1334]

Wow had no idea this was happening,,, or even that Filipinos were good at pool! Seems such a long time ago to me when I remember Chinese were hardly in the sports and now they are completely dominating. Small tournament and only $20k so I get it on the attendance but everybody got to start somewhere right